Senate OKs bill requiring vote on Dome plan

Bill would require public vote on funding plan

In a move that could block Harris County’s plans to redevelop the Astrodome, the Texas Senate approves legislation that would require a public vote on using tax funds on the project.

AUSTIN — In a move that could block Harris County’s plans to redevelop the Astrodome, the Texas Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation that would require a public vote on using tax funds on the project.

Senate Bill 884 by Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, would require a public vote before Harris County could spend any taxpayer money to improve or redevelop the Astrodome. “Elections are supposed to matter … and this is an example of how a governing body is trying to ignore an election and go contrary to a popular vote,” Whitmire said.

Dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World” when it opened in 1965, the domed icon has been vacant for several years. In November 2013, Harris County voters rejected a referendum that would have authorized up to $217 million in bonds to turn the Astrodome into a giant convention and event center.

Officials at the time said the stadium — the first indoor and air-conditioned football and baseball arena that became a defining landmark for Houston’s can-do spirit — probably would face demolition as a result.

In recent months, though, local officials have proposed spending $105 million to redevelop the building by raising the

floor, adding 1,400 parking spaces underneath and opening the Dome for festivals, conferences or other commercial uses.

The proposal has drawn opposition from Houston lawmakers who said that move violates the 2013 decision by voters.

Sens. Paul Bettencourt and Joan Huffman, both Houston Republicans, said voters should be given the opportunity to determine whether the new project goes forward because they earlier rejected funding the restoration.

“The taxpayers of Harris County would be on the hook for this project, and they should be allowed to have a say in whether they want to pay for it,” Huffman said.

Added Whitmire, “After the voters have said no, you don’t go back with your special interests and spend tax money on the Astrodome anyway.”

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said that if the bill is enacted, he is confident voters would support the county’s project. He also said the requirement of a vote could delay the project, meaning the county could lose out on potential revenue from a renovated Astrodome.

“Clearly, I’m disappointed that no senator was willing to stand up to what is obviously a bad bill,” Emmett said. “No bill like this has ever been passed in the State of Texas, nobody can even argue about that.”

Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack said the state spends millions of dollars on construction without voter approval.

“I have no problem with the people having the right to vote,” Radack said. “My point is this, if the state wants to begin this type of process, apply it to themselves.”

The bill was approved by the Senate on a 31-0 vote. It now goes to the House.